Small Square Baler

We've a NH 370 square baler and a claas 46 round baler, I've re-baled a few of the rounds into squares when I was a few short on bales that I sold. I get about 11 -12 squares from the round, but a NH276 produces smaller bales than the 370 and a Claas 46 produces smaller / less dense 4x4's than any modern 4x4 baler. So there will definitly be a few more of your 276 bales in a modern 4X4.

There is a lot more involved in working and maintaining a square baler compared to a simple round baler like the Claas 46. But it's not rocket science either, could be handy if you know someone who's operated one to go through some knotter and timing issues to give you an idea of what's involved. Plus remember the extra labour involved, would be better with a flat eight bale slay and grab.

I'd say hay should be fitter before considering square baling it (Or perhaps all hay should be proper fit anyway). Apart from anything else it's no fun handling heavy squares, but rounds that are a little less than fit can be left sitting in the field to mature a bit but little squares would become dung very quickly.

@Silverdream Have a look at this video from Just a Few Acres Farm. It's not the same model NH as yours but similar as most of the older NH's had the same working parts. He goes through in detail how a square baler works. We had a 276 years ago and one beak on the knotter used to give problems. Anyway, enjoy the video and best of luck with the baler.

I would be of the same opinion that Hay needs to be fitter to round bale as they are packed so tight that no matter how long they are left out air will not get to the middle of the bale.

Get away with slightly less fit for square baling is the way we operate around here and neighbours would have same mentality.

Round bale has a rolled 'thatch' that resists rain. Square bales are backed in slices so rain goes thru them. What with more variable weather, heavier crops and labour shortage I'd say sq baling is very challenging in ireland.

Knots down and out...Supposedly sheds rain better due to the way the hay is packed in wedges. I can see nothing scientific on it. When us kids got older, dad switched to square staxks of 21...5 bottom bales on edges and the 4 rows of 4 and then a 2x21 bale grab on backnof tractor.....Where you going to buy one of them now.

Would have had a similar enough setup here too years ago but no loft so starting from ground level. Like you I thought it would be great idea to try a handful again 2 years ago. I lost that thought fairly quick when the brothers showed up with 2 3 year olds and spent the whole time showing them the bales that their uncle was flat out piking into the trailer and watching the baler.

I changed tack after the first load and brought on the BILs loader with the silage pike. Absolute gift for drawing in. Get about 60 or 70 on the pike and drop them on the floor of the barn not to be touched again until winter. Had to stack alright when get the higher ones in but at least the bales are near you. Had the 500 odd in the shed in a few hours.

OH loves them in the winter as she'll throw 2 in the trolley and carry them to the feeder as a treat for the bulls. No sign of her on the hot summer day hauling them in though so it's easy love them.